Benign cervical leiomyoma leading to disseminated fatal malignancy

A case study is reported of incomplete excision of a sessile leiomyoma of the posterior cervix followed by rapid tumor growth of the same region in a pregnancy commencing 2 months later. Cesarean section for placenta previa was followed 10 days later by hysterectomy for massive hemorrhage. The tumor was considered, following multiple review, to be a leiomyoma of the cervix with mitosis consistent with recent pregnancy. Widespread peritoneal recurrence occurred within 3 months requiring further laparotomy for excision of widespread tumor and ligation of internal iliac arteries. Death occurred 4 weeks later with widespread peritoneal occurrence. No postmortem was performed. The case emphasizes the rare potential for malignant change in histologically benign leiomyomas with no indications to this potential apart from biological behavior.